 Pahang Travel Guide
Kuantan, capital of Pahang (31 December, 2006)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
Pahang Darul Makmur is the largest state in Peninsular Malaysia, and the third largest in Malaysia. It has a total area of 35,964 sq km and a population of about 1.4 million people. Pahang is located on the east coast of the peninsula, although several of its highland towns are accessible from the west coast. It shares a border with Kelantan to the north, Terengganu to the northeast, Johor to the south, Negri Sembilan to the southwest, and Selangor and Perak to the west. Pahang has a stretch of coastline on the east side along the South China Sea. Much of the central part of Pahang is still undeveloped and forested. Most of the towns are located along the fringes, along the eastern coast as well as on the Main Range on the west part of the state.
Kuantan (31 December 2006)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
The capital and largest city in Pahang is Kuantan. The city is on the east coast facing the South China Sea. Pahang is a sultanate, meaning it is ruled by a sultan. The official residence of the Sultan of Pahang is in the town of Pekan, to the south of Kuantan.
Pahang has been ruled over by differing regional powers over the ages. It was controlled by the Srivijaya empire in the 8th and 9th century, followed by the Siamese and then by the Malacca Sultanate and the Acehnese. The present ruling family of the Pahang sultanate traces their family history to the Johor sultanate, which ruled Pahang since at least the 16th century. The Sultans of Pahang are descended from the son of the Bendahara of Johor of the 19th century. The civil war fought by the two sons of the Bendara for control of Pahang in 1853 to 1863 provided the British an excuse to plant a British Resident there as administrator and de facto ruler.
Sultan Ahmad Shah Mosque, Kuantan (30 December 2006)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
Getting there
Considering most of the main towns of Pahang are on the east coast, the most practical way to visit them is to take a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Kuantan. To visit Pahang's hill stations such as Cameron Highlands and Fraser's Hill, the usual way is to go by road from the west coast.
By Plane
Malaysia Airlines has regular services between Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL) and Kuantan's Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Airport (KUA). Low cost carrier Firefly has services connecting KUA with Subang Airport (SZB) in Kuala Lumpur.
By Road
Kuantan can be reached from the west coast via the Karak Highway (E8) and the East Coast Expressway (E8). There are regular bus services from most major cities to Terminal Makmur in Kuantan.
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